JP2006283820A - One-way clutch and method of installing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a one-way clutch capable of providing a stable drag torque without lowering the strength of a cage and formed in a simple structure without increasing manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: This one-way clutch 10 comprises the cage 5 disposed between an inner ring 2 and an outer ring 1, having a cylindrical part 5b and an annular flange part 5a extending from an axial one edge part of the cylindrical part 5b to the radial outer side, and holding a torque transmission member 3 by the cylindrical part 5b equally in the circumferential direction. The cylindrical part 5b and the flange part 5a of the cage 5 are formed in an approximately round shape, and the inner peripheral raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 is formed in a round shape. The diameter of the inner peripheral raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange part 5a of the cage 5. The flange part 5a keeps a predetermined drag from the outer ring 1, and they are frictionally engaged with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a one-way clutch used as a part for torque transmission, backstop, etc. in a driving device such as an automobile, and more particularly to improvement of a cage for a one-way clutch. Further, the present invention relates to a method for assembling the cage to the outer ring.

  Conventionally, when a one-way clutch is incorporated into a rotating part of an industrial machine or the like and used, the outer ring or inner ring as a rotating member is held with a certain drag torque so that its function is not impaired by vibration, inertia, etc. .

  For example, if there is a sudden acceleration / deceleration in the rotation of the outer ring, the sprag slides on the outer ring raceway surface due to inertia and generates friction. It is necessary to let This is because the movement of the outer ring is promptly transmitted to the outer cage and the movement of the sprag is ensured.

  In order to obtain the constant drag torque as described above, the conventional one-way clutch has taken measures such as making the flange portion of the outer cage elliptical (see Patent Document 1). Moreover, there exists what gave the protrusion to the outer side holder | retainer (refer patent document 2). In addition, there are those that generate drag using i-bar, T-bar, drag clip and the like.

Prior art document information related to the invention of this application includes the following.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-188632 (FIG. 3 etc.) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-54831 (Fig. 3 etc.)

  However, the conventional one-way clutch as described above has the following problems. First, providing the protrusions on the outer cage causes a new problem that the manufacturing cost increases because the number of processing steps increases.

  In addition, when the cage flange (or the entire cage) is formed in an oval shape, a new problem is that it is difficult to process into an oval shape and to manage the size to keep it oval during use. It will cause a dot. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the conventional outer cage as a whole has a relatively small contact area in contact with the raceway surface of the outer ring, and a stable drag torque cannot be obtained.

  The conventional elliptic cage is used as an outer cage of the double cage, and generates an appropriate drag between the outer ring and contributes to stabilization of the meshing performance at the time of locking.

  In the one-way clutch, an outer cage and an inner cage are arranged concentrically between an outer ring and an inner ring so as to support sprags arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, a ribbon spring that urges the sprags in the meshing direction is set between the inner and outer cages in a circumferential manner so that the one-way clutch is securely meshed.

  Elliptical cages are often used because they are easier to process than i-bars and T-bars, etc., but because of their geometrical characteristics, they are between the elliptical shape of the outer cage and the perfect circle shape of the inner cage Are not equally spaced, and a wide portion and a narrow portion are formed along the elliptical shape.

  As a result, when the one-way clutch repeats the operation, the outer cage and the inner cage move relative to each other according to the movement of the sprags. Below, contact with the outer cage may be repeated, causing the ribbon spring to partially wear.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a one-way clutch provided with a cage that has a perfect circle shape but is equivalent to an elliptical cage as a method for preventing interference with a ribbon spring while taking advantage of an elliptical cage. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a one-way clutch that can obtain a stable drag torque without causing a decrease in the strength of the cage and that is simple in construction without causing an increase in manufacturing cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the one-way clutch of the present invention provides:
An outer ring having an annular inner raceway surface, an inner ring spaced radially inward with respect to the outer ring, concentrically disposed so as to be relatively rotatable, and having an annular outer raceway surface, and between the outer ring and the inner ring A torque transmitting member disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an annular ring disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and extending radially outward from an axial edge of the cylindrical portion and the cylindrical portion. A one-way clutch comprising: a flange portion, and a cage that holds the torque transmission member equally in the circumferential direction by the cylindrical portion,
The cylindrical portion and the flange portion of the cage are formed in a substantially circular shape, the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring is formed in a perfect circle shape, the diameter of the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring and the holding The outer diameter of the flange portion of the vessel is substantially the same, and the flange portion maintains a predetermined drag with the outer ring and is frictionally engaged.

The one-way clutch of the present invention is
An outer ring having a circular and annular inner raceway surface, an inner ring spaced radially inward from the outer ring and concentrically arranged so as to be relatively rotatable, and having an annular outer raceway surface, and the outer ring A torque transmitting member that is disposed on the inner ring and transmits torque between the inner and outer rings; a substantially circular cylindrical portion disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a radius from an axial edge of the cylindrical portion. The retainer in a one-way clutch comprising an annular, substantially circular flange portion extending outward in the direction, and a retainer for holding the torque transmitting member equally in the circumferential direction by the cylindrical portion. A method of assembling the outer ring,
After the retainer is deformed, the retainer is assembled to the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring.

  With the configuration as described above, the contact area between the outer ring and the cage becomes wider than before, so that it is possible to obtain a stable required drag torque with little change over time, and to prevent interference with the ribbon spring and to achieve a long service life. It is possible to provide a one-way clutch that is not likely to be lowered. Since the cage deformed into an ellipse or a polygon can be assembled to the inner raceway surface (track surface) of the outer ring and contacted in a substantially circular shape, the one-way clutch is less likely to tilt in the axial direction around the major axis. In addition, the contact area becomes large, and changes with time due to wear are less likely to occur. As a result, the cage and the outer ring are difficult to rotate relative to each other, and drag torque due to a necessary frictional force can be generated from the contact surface with the outer ring, and the posture of the one-way clutch is stabilized in the outer ring.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, it is needless to say that the embodiments described below are intended to illustrate the present invention and not to limit the present invention. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view in the axial direction of a one-way clutch 10 showing an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, although an example using a gourd-shaped sprag as the torque transmission member is shown, the present invention can also be applied to a one-way clutch having other types of torque transmission members. In FIG. 1, the outer ring 1 has a substantially circular raceway surface 1a. The inner ring 2 has a substantially circular raceway surface 2a. The outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2 are relatively rotatable with the raceway surfaces 1a and 2a facing each other.

  In an annular space defined by the outer ring 1 and the inner ring 2, a plurality of torque transmission members, sprags 3, for transmitting torque between the two wheels are arranged equally on the circumference, and torque is transmitted between the inner and outer rings. Yes. The sprag 3 is held in a pair of cages, that is, a substantially rectangular window 8 provided in each of the outer cage 5 and the inner cage 6. The windows 8 of the outer cage 5 and the inner cage 6 are respectively defined by both peripheral edge portions and column portions of the cage. A ribbon spring 4 is disposed between the outer and inner cages 5 and 6 to give the sprag 3 a rising moment in the direction of meshing with the raceway surfaces of the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 1.

  As is apparent from FIG. 1, the inner cage 6 having a substantially circular outer diameter is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 6b and the cylindrical portion 6b, and is substantially perpendicular to the one end in the axial direction, that is, radially inward. The front end of the flange 6a faces the inner ring 2 with a predetermined clearance.

  Further, the outer cage 5 having a substantially circular inner diameter is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 5b and the cylindrical portion 5b, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial end, that is, radially outward at one end portion in the axial direction. The flange portion 5a is provided.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the assembly | attachment procedure to the outer ring | wheel 1 of the outer side holder | retainer 5 of the one-way clutch 10 concerning this invention is demonstrated. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer cage 5 includes a substantially perfect flange portion 5a and a substantially perfect cylindrical portion 5b formed integrally therewith. Therefore, the outer cage 5 has a perfect circle shape as a whole. Further, the diameter of the inner raceway surface 1a of the outer ring and the outer diameter of the flange portion 5a of the outer cage 5 are substantially the same.

  Next, the outer cage 5 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed from the left and right directions in the drawing using a device (not shown) so as to have a minor axis A as shown in FIG. At this time, the major axis of the ellipse is larger than the diameter of the inner circumferential raceway surface 1 a of the outer ring 1. After being deformed into an elliptical shape, as shown in FIG. 4, the long diameter side of the outer cage 5 is elastically deformed and assembled so as to be fitted into the inner circumferential raceway surface 1 a of the outer ring 1. When assembled in this manner, the outer cage 5 as a whole has a shape close to a perfect circle, and is compared in the circumferential direction between the inner raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 and the edge of the flange portion 5a. A wide contact area C is formed. As a result, the flange portion 5a of the outer cage 5 maintains a predetermined drag and frictionally engages with the inner circumferential raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1.

  Here, the assembly | attachment relationship of the outer ring | wheel 30 of the conventional one-way clutch 50 and the holder | retainer 35 is demonstrated using FIG. The cage 35 comprising a substantially circular cylindrical portion 35b and a flange portion 35a formed into an ellipse is provided with a bulge portion 35c that contacts the inner circumferential raceway surface 30a of the outer ring 30 on the long axis side of the ellipse.

Necessary drag torque is obtained by the bulging portions 35 c located at both ends of the long axis of the ellipse contacting the inner circumferential raceway surface 30 a of the outer ring 30. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the contact area D between the inner circumferential raceway surface 30a and the bulging portion 35c has a smaller proportion of the inner circumference than the contact area C shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the cage is deformed into an ellipse before being assembled to the outer ring, but it can be deformed into a shape other than an ellipse, for example, a polygon. While the outer ring has a perfect circle shape with a highly rigid metal shaving finish, the cage is a relatively thin plate with an annular shape. It cannot be processed into a circle. Therefore, a certain amount of distortion occurs. By actively using this distortion, that is, deformation, the flange portion of the cage is deformed into a predetermined shape, not limited to an ellipse or polygon, and is frictionally engaged with the outer ring.

Moreover, this distortion can be intentionally made by processing. Therefore, the cage is deformed into a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially polygonal shape. If it is triangular, the flange portion has three contact areas with respect to the inner raceway surface of the outer ring, so that the cage does not rotate with respect to the outer ring.

  As an example of such a shape, for example, in FIG. 6, the cage 15 has an oval shape as a whole. The cage 15 is in contact with the raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 at two contact points 15a opposite to the raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 by approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. Further, in the middle between the contact points 15a, recessed portions 15b that are slightly recessed are provided at positions that face each other at approximately 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 5, the gap between the recess 15b and the raceway surface 1a is exaggerated.

  The two contact points 15a can generate a drag torque due to a necessary frictional force from the contact surface with the outer ring, and the posture of the one-way clutch is stabilized in the outer ring.

  FIG. 7 shows still another shape of the cage. In FIG. 7, the cage 25 is in contact with the raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 at three points. The cage 25 is in contact with the raceway surface 1a of the outer ring 1 at three contact points 25a provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, in the middle between the contacts 25a, there are provided three recessed portions 25b that are slightly recessed in the circumferential direction. As in FIG. 5, the gap between the recess 25b and the track surface 1a is also exaggerated in FIG.

  The three contact points 25a can generate a drag torque due to a necessary frictional force from the contact surface with the outer ring, and the posture of the one-way clutch is stabilized in the outer ring. The number of contacts 25a is preferably at least three, but may be greater than that.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the one-way clutch has been described as having two retainers, the outer retainer and the inner retainer. However, the present invention can be applied to a one-way clutch having only one retainer. Needless to say, you can. The present invention can also be applied to a one-way clutch using an end bearing.

1 is an axial sectional view of a one-way clutch showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the outer side holder | retainer of FIG. It is a front view of the outer side cage transformed into an elliptical shape. It is a front view of the one-way clutch which fitted and assembled | attached the outer side holder | retainer of FIG. 3 to the outer ring | wheel. It is a front view of the one-way clutch which shows the other Example of this invention. It is a front view of the one-way clutch which shows further another Example of this invention. It is a front view of the conventional one-way clutch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer ring 2 Inner ring 3 Sprag 5 Outer cage 5a Flange 6 Inner cage 10 One-way clutch

Claims (11)

An outer ring having an annular inner raceway surface, an inner ring spaced radially inward with respect to the outer ring, concentrically disposed so as to be relatively rotatable, and having an annular outer raceway surface, and between the outer ring and the inner ring A torque transmitting member disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an annular ring disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and extending radially outward from an axial edge of the cylindrical portion and the cylindrical portion. A one-way clutch comprising a retainer that holds the torque transmission member equally in the circumferential direction by the cylindrical portion,
The cylindrical portion and the flange portion of the cage are formed in a substantially circular shape, the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring is formed in a perfect circle shape, the diameter of the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring and the holding A one-way clutch characterized in that the outer diameter of the flange portion of the container is substantially the same, and the flange portion maintains a predetermined drag with the outer ring and is frictionally engaged.   2. The one-way clutch according to claim 1, wherein the cage is fitted into an inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring after being deformed into a predetermined shape.   3. The one-way clutch according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined shape is substantially circular and includes at least one radially inwardly-facing concave portion on an outer periphery. 4.   The one-way clutch according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined shape is a polygon.   3. The one-way clutch according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined shape is a substantially oval shape, and has at least two or more radially inward concave portions on an outer periphery. 4.   The one-way clutch according to claim 2, wherein the cage is in contact with the raceway surface of the outer ring at least at three or more locations.   The one-way clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one-way clutch includes a pair of outer and inner cages. An outer ring having a circular and annular inner raceway surface, an inner ring spaced radially inward from the outer ring and concentrically arranged so as to be relatively rotatable, and having an annular outer raceway surface, and the outer ring A torque transmitting member that is disposed on the inner ring and transmits torque between the inner and outer rings; a substantially circular cylindrical portion disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a radius from an axial edge of the cylindrical portion. The retainer in a one-way clutch comprising an annular, substantially circular flange portion extending outward in the direction, and a retainer for holding the torque transmitting member equally in the circumferential direction by the cylindrical portion. A method of assembling the outer ring,
A method for assembling the cage, comprising: deforming the cage, and assembling the cage on the inner raceway surface of the outer ring.   The method according to claim 8, wherein the cage is deformed into an ellipse and assembled to the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring.   The method according to claim 8, wherein the cage is deformed into a substantially polygonal shape and assembled to the inner circumferential raceway surface of the outer ring. The method according to claim 8, wherein the one-way clutch includes a pair of outer and inner cages.

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